33. I will not try to live on my own until I am of age.
34. I will not try to live on my own until I am of age.
35. I will not try to live on my own...
Harry was at Snape's house, which to Harry's surprise was in a muggle neighborhood. Harry had expected Snape to punish him for running away. Instead, he was punishing him for his method of doing so. Harry replayed the conversation in his head.
Harry: I had to get out of that place.
Snape: I never said otherwise. Neither did I ask why you left. If you left you had reason to do so. It will be up to you to decide if your reason for leaving was good enough to never return.
Harry: Why couldn't I stay at the Leaky Cauldron?
Snape: You should have gone to stay with one of your friends. You are not yet an adult. Until that time comes, you will live with an adult. To remind you of that fact you will copy this line two hundred times.
Harry's thoughts returned to the current as he began the next line.
48. I will not try to live on my own until I am of age.
49. I will not try to live...
Harry's head dropped onto his splayed arms and mumbled, "This is pointless. I know how to take care of myself. I don't see any reason I shouldn't be able to live on my own."
"You are correct."
Harry's head popped up.
"The lines are a pointless task. But just because you are capable of caring for yourself, does not mean that there are no benefits to living in a household with adults to help care for you."
"What? Laziness and greed? That seems to be all Dudley ever gets from it."
"Since you are unfamiliar with normal family interactions," 'As am I,' thought Snape, internally, "You will do research on the subject and then write a 24 inch essay on the topic, in replace of the lines." A remote control floated across the room and landed in front of Harry. "You may watch four hours of television to familiarize yourself with how other families interact, then you will start on your essay."
And that is how Harry came to find himself ensconced on Snape's couch enjoying a relaxing afternoon of television.